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Main CourseDinner

Bistek Tagalog

Bistek Tagalog is a savory Filipino beef steak, braised in a tangy soy sauce and calamansi marinade. Thinly sliced beef is cooked until tender, then topped with sweet caramelized onion rings. It's best served hot with steamed white rice.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
50 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium
Per serving
456 kcal
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Allergen information: may contain gluten and soy. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Bistek Tagalog

Mise en place

Ingredients

Measurements

Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.

Ingredients

  • 500 gbeef sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 2 pcsyellow onion, sliced into rings
  • 2 tbspvegetable oil

marinade

  • 0.5 cupsoy sauce
  • 0.25 cupcalamansi juice
  • 4 clovegarlic, minced
  • 1 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

Equipment

shallow dish · small pan · large skillet

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    In a shallow dish, combine the soy sauce, calamansi juice, minced garlic, and black pepper to create the marinade.

    About 2 min

    Cook’s note: If calamansi is unavailable, use lime juice as a substitute.

  2. 2

    Add the thinly sliced beef sirloin to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are coated.

  3. 3

    Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor.

    About 15 min

  4. 4

    Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.

    About 2 min

  5. 5

    Once the oil is hot, sear the marinated beef in batches without overcrowding the pan.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: Searing in batches ensures the beef browns nicely instead of steaming.

  6. 6

    Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until browned, then remove the beef from the pan and set aside.

    About 4 min

  7. 7

    Pour the remaining marinade into the same skillet and bring it to a simmer.

    About 2 min

  8. 8

    Return the seared beef to the skillet with the simmering marinade.

  9. 9

    Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and braise for 10-15 minutes, or until the beef is tender.

    About 10 min

    Cook’s note: Adjust braising time based on the thickness of your beef slices.

  10. 10

    While the beef is braising, in a separate small pan, quickly sauté the onion rings until softened and slightly caramelized, about 3-5 minutes.

    About 3 min

    Cook’s note: Don't overcook the onions; they should still have a slight bite.

  11. 11

    Remove the beef from the heat.

  12. 12

    Arrange the braised beef on a serving platter, pour the sauce over it, and top generously with the sautéed onion rings.

    About 1 min

  13. 13

    Serve immediately with steamed white rice.

Per serving

Nutrition

Calories
455.6kcal
Protein
35.5g
Carbs
10.4g
Fat
30.9g
Fibre
1.9g
Sugar
3.3g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover Bistek Tagalog in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.

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